The rich and storied history of Hastings-Sunrise

It’s not easy to define the borders of Hastings-Sunrise. A neighbourhood that has gone from a resource town, to recreation destination, to wealthy enclave, to hip neighbourhood for young families.

Vancouver’s first townsite

Historian and walking tour leader with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Maurice Gibor says the first development was a First Nations gathering-fishing area called Kanamoot, which is where New Brighton Park now sits.

Map is a plan of lots offered for auction in Hastings on 10th July 1869, indicating which lots were sold and which lots were reserved. Plan also shows the locations of government buildings, a church, a hospital, Oliver M. Hocking’s house and stable, (and) the road from New Westminster to Burrard Inlet, (City of Vancouver archives)

Back in the 1860s the Royal Engineers decided the location would make a great salt-water port. New Westminster was developed already, while Gastown wasn’t even an idea, and so from New Westminster they drew a basic road to the area. This began the development of what was planned as a a town reserve, but which actually became a seaside resort for the holidaying residents of New Westminster. They would take a stage-coach up to what eventually became the location for Vancouver’s first road, first hotel, first post office, even a museum. People went there to relax and enjoy the seaside.

Then people started to populate the West End and Gastown , and the area became abandoned as an industrial area – partly because the railroad established it’s terminus in Vancouver.

“Wherever the tram went, that’s where you brought the settlers and the development.”

it became a residential area, the province established a green park back in 1888, when Vancouver was only two years old. The park, known as Hastings Park, was agiant green space almost as big as Stanley Park. The way to reach it eventually would bb the tramline from downtown Vancouver all the way to Hastings.

Listen to the full history here:

Hastings-Sunrise Photo Gallery:

Man flying a kite at New Brighton Park, which was originally the first townsite .

Port Road behind New Brighton Park

Corner of Hastings and Nanaimo Streets

Hastings-Sunrise also known as East Village

A community garden sits on undeveloped HY Louie land where shops used to stand